From Kolkata

For an album with so much variation between and within tracks, the overall cohesion Tita Nzebi achieves in this release is impressive.

From Kolkata is the second album from the French-based Gabonese singer, who takes her stage name from the Bantu people (the Nzebi) whose heritage she sings to protect. Conserving the traditions present in her debut album, here she pushes her sound further by collaborating with artists from West Bengal, exploring their musical styles and working these into her already diverse repertoire.

Track after track, the album takes unexpected turns. ‘Dictature Inavouée’ is a rollercoaster of a piece; it expertly weaves together moments of light jazz piano with flashes of full brass backing, dropping into impelling choral sections and navigating contrasting rhythms with surprising ease. Gobinda Das Bairagya lends his voice to ‘Bâul Song’, which draws on Bengali musical influences, blurring and playing with the stylistic boundaries. The sophisticated Nzebi rhythms that underpin the album are continually matched by the important stories her lyrics tell, carried by Tita's understated yet powerful voice, which ties it all together. Not shy of sharing and experimenting between genres, From Kolkata is a strong album in both its message and its music – an excellent second release.